The structure properties correlation in the Ce-doped SnO2 materials obtained by different synthesis routes

Ce-doped SnO2 materials with rutile type structure (SnO2SS) were obtained as porous ceramic, powders and films from different precursor mixtures and by using different preparation routes. The samples were characterized in terms of their structural, morphological and electrical properties. Depending on the specific precursor mixture, different microstructural parameters were obtained. The lattice parameters of the host oxide (SnO2) decrease by CeO2 doping and the mean crystallite size D varies in the range of 670–1278 Å; different values of lattice strain S were also noticed. The morphological characteristics as shrinkage (Δl/l), porosity (Pa), density (d) and BET surface area were determined. The electrical properties were measured on the porous ceramics and on the powders. All investigated samples showed n-type semiconducting behavior.